The Bearing Of The Theories Of The Origin Of Magnetic Iron-Ores On Their Possible Extent

(New York meeting, February, 1912) IN the year 1904 an eminent Swedish geologist prepared a report on the iron-ore reserves of the world. His estimates follow: Countries. Tons. United States, 1,100,000,000 Great Britain, . 1,000,000,000 Germany, 2,200, 000, 000 Spain, 500,000,000 Russia and Finland, 1,500,000,000 France, 1.500, 000, 000 Sweden, . 1,000,000,000 Austria-Hungary, . 1,000,000,000 Other countries, 1,200,000,000 Total, . 10,000, 000, 000 The iron-ore allotted to the United States by the Swedish geologist is barely sufficient to last 20 years at the present rate of consumption. On the other hand (according to Edwin C. Eckel,1 from whom the above and following statistics are quoted), there is hardly need for worry on the part of our iron industries for the, next two centuries or more. Upon the basis of careful work by the U. S. Geological Survey, in which Mr. Eckel has taken an important part, the following estimates arc definitely, but by no means finally, given for the United States District. Tons. Lake Superior District, . . 1,500,000,000 to 2,000,000,000 Alabama, red hematite. . . 1,000,000,000 brown hematite, 725,000,000 Georgia, red hematite, 200,000,000 brown hematite, 125,000,000 Tennessee red hematite, . 6110,000,000 I brown hematite, 225,000,000 Virginia., red hematite, 50,000,000 brown hematite, 300,000,000 Total, . . 4,725,000,000 to :5,225,000,000